Communication device, control method, and storage medium

Abstract

A communication device has a first function for forming a network, a second function for joining a network formed by a first other communication device, and a third function for communicating with a second other communication device that has joined the network formed by the first other communication device, through a direct connection based on the network formed by the first other communication device, when the communication device has joined, using the second function, the network formed by the first other communication device, and controls the third function so as to restrict processing for the direct connection using the third function, when the network has been formed by the first function.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A communication device comprising:
 a communication unit including a first function for forming a network, a second function for joining a network formed by a first other communication device, and a third function for communicating with a second other communication device that has joined the network formed by the first other communication device, through a direct connection based on the network formed by the first other communication device, when the communication device has joined, using the second function, the network formed by the first other communication device; and 
 a control unit configured to control the third function so as to restrict a channel to be used in the direct connection using the third function, when the network has been formed by the first function. 
 
     
     
       2. The communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the network has been formed by the first function, the control unit controls the third function so as to restrict the channel to be used by the third function, by controlling the communication unit so as to include information of a channel used in the network formed by the first function in a response to a search for a partner device for the direct connection or a request to establish the direct connection from the second other communication device, and transmits the response to the second other communication device. 
     
     
       3. The communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the network has been formed by the first function and the direct connection using the third function has been established, the control unit controls the third function so as to restrict the channel to be used by the third function, by not responding to a request to switch a channel for the direct connection from the second other communication device, or by refusing the request. 
     
     
       4. The communication device according to  claim 1 , wherein, when the network has been formed by the first function and the direct connection has also been established by the third function, if a request to switch the channel for the direct connection is given from the second other communication device, the control unit controls the third function so as to switch the channel after transmitting a message indicating that communication in the network formed by the first function is stopped, to another communication device that has joined the network formed by the first function. 
     
     
       5. The communication device according to  claim 4 , wherein, when the network has been formed by the first function and the direct connection has also been established by the third function, if a request to switch the channel for the direct connection is given from the second other communication device and no other communication device that cannot interpret the message has joined the network formed by the first function, the control unit controls the third function so as to switch the channel in accordance with the request to switch the channel. 
     
     
       6. The communication device according to  claim 4 , wherein, when the network has been formed by the first function and the direct connection has also been established by the third function, if a request to switch the channel for the direct connection is given from the second other communication device and another communication device that cannot interpret the message has joined the network formed by the first function, the control unit controls the third function so as to restrict the channel to be used by the third function, by not responding to the request to switch the channel or by refusing the request. 
     
     
       7. The communication device according to  claim 4 , wherein, when the network has been formed by the first function and the direct connection has also been established by the third function, if a request to switch the channel for the direct connection is given from the second other communication device and no other communication device has joined the network formed by the first function, the control unit controls the third function so as to switch the channel in accordance with the request to switch the channel. 
     
     
       8. A method for controlling a communication device having a communication unit including a first function for forming a network, a second function for joining a network formed by a first other communication device, and a third function for communicating with a second other communication device that has joined the network formed by the first other communication device, through a direct connection based on the network formed by the first other communication device, when the communication device has joined, using the second function, the network formed by the first other communication device, the method comprising:
 controlling the third function so as to restrict a channel to be used in a direct connection using the third function, when the network has been formed by the first function. 
 
     
     
       9. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer, which is provided in a communication device having a communication unit including a first function for forming a network, a second function for joining a network formed by a first other communication device, and a third function for communicating with a second other communication device that has joined the network formed by the first other communication device, through a direct connection based on the network formed by the first other communication device, when the communication device has joined, using the second function, the network formed by the first other communication device, to execute:
 controlling the third function so as to restrict a channel to be used in a direct connection using the third function, when the network has been formed by the first function.